5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Brake Pads

Depending on your driving habits and several other factors, your brake pads can last for around 60,000km. to 150,000km. If you can instil good driving habits right from the start, you will be able to save some money, though it is better just to adopt good driving habits.

To replace brake pads, it can cost around $150 per axle. If you hear your brake pads making a screeching noise, you should consider replacing it. Another sign to look out for is decreased performance. Try to extend the life of your brake pads and save some money and time by following these 5 tips.

1. Speed: The #1 Reason

Speed is the number one reason why your brake pads can be worn prematurely. This means that when you are traveling at a high speed and have to brake to a complete or full stop, this will not do your brake pads any favours. It works exponentially; if you are doing 90 instead of 65 and had to come to a full stop, there is a difference in percentage of the dissipation of energy. The more energy they have to dissipate, the quicker they will wear out. Slowing down saves a bit of wear and tear.

2. Don’t Two-foot The Pedals

Try never to two-foot your pedals. Besides, this is a practice that goes against proper driving training anyway. This means you place your left foot on the brake pedal while the right is still on the gas pedal. People do this! This definitely causes premature wear.

3. Keep The Car Light

Whenever possible, try to keep your car light and don’t weigh it down unnecessarily. Sometimes, it cannot be helped. If you buy things, you have to transport it home. If the things you carry in your car are heavy, but they are necessary for your job, then you have no choice. However, this tip is for those who needlessly carry a ton of stuff with them and never use it, simply because they never ‘get round to it’. Procrastination is easier rather than removing unnecessary items and storing them away. This extra weight is a larger kinetic load that the brake pads must handle. Even some modifications to your car can add extra weight which will shorten the life of your brake pad.

4. Flushing Brakes

Every couple of years, especially if you have an older model, you should flush your brakes. This is beneficial for the internal components but more importantly, it will help your brakes to work more efficiently. Brake fluid can attract water and during the course of brake use, the moisture can reduce the effectiveness and also cause some corrosion inside. This will cause a reduction in the lifespan of brake components.

5. Coast & Slow Down

This is another thing to do with driving habits. It will reduce wear and tear and also save you some gas. When you see a stop sign or a red light and as you are approaching it, why would you want to step on the gas when you can see that the cars ahead are not moving? Instead, coast and slow down. Some drivers are still guilty of stepping on the gas and then braking. Avoid this action and it will help to increase the lifespan of your brake pad and save on fuel.

Eventually, you do need to take care of it, but you can certainly stretch it as far as possible with some good habits which can help you save some money.